Choral competitions on Sunday

Mbabane: It’s on

Eswatini National Choral Music Association (ENCMA), will this coming Sunday hold the Choral Music Competitions at the Happy Valley Hotel.

ENCMA President, Sihle Gumbi disclosed that the event will feature Mass Choirs and the Solo categories. Worth noting is that this will be the first local choral activity ever since the country was hit by COVID-19.

Gumbi highlighted that as an association, they had planned to host solo competitions only, but due to the easing of COVID-19 regulations and the support they got from the government, have decided to include mass choirs.

 Concerning prizes, Gumbi said the first place winner will get E5 000, the second position occupier will be awarded E4 000 and the one occupying the third position will get E3 000.

The total amount to be won by the mass choir category is E12 000. Enlisted participants include Eswatini Mighty Voices, Pure Voices, Royal Eswatini Police Choir, Mbabane Methodist Church Choir, Manzini Choir, Florence Catholic Choir, and Sweet Sounds.

Under the solo competition, the total prize money that would be pocketed stands at E16 500. Gumbi announced that the first place winner will walk home with E2 000, the second winner will get E1 500 and third place will be awarded E1 000. Regarding solo, competitors under the soprano category include Precious Magagula, Thulisile Mndzebele, and Tengesihle Gwebu.

For the alto category, Thembelihle Khumalo will be the only contestant. The tenor category will feature Mongezi Simelane, Yenziwe Simelane, and Vulindlela Dlakude. The bass competitors are Njabulo Mahlalela, Thando Zwane, and Themba Mdlalose.

For the competition to be hosted, Gumbi said they received sponsorship from Macmillan Eswatini, Old Mutual, and Eswatini National Council of Arts and Culture. “We are grateful for this kind gesture from these institutions and we hope our relationship will continue. We urge other companies to join us in elevating the choral music industry in the kingdom,” Gumbi said.

Gumbi highlighted that Choral music is big in the country and as an association, they were excited to be hosting the competition again. He announced that entry tickets for the competition are priced at E50. He went on to assure who would-be attendees of the competitions that they will ensure adherence to all health protocols to avoid the spread of COVID-19, adding that they are considering using digital platforms for broadcasting the competitions.